ST. LOUIS – Southern Illinois baseball has been picked to finish fifth in the Missouri Valley Conference Preseason Poll, the League office announced Tuesday morning. Right-hander Jake Combs was named Preseason All-MVC.

Indiana State was picked to win the League after picking up 95 votes, including eight first-place votes. Missouri State (89) and Evansville (81) were picked second and third – both of which received a first-place vote. Murray State (67), SIU (63), Belmont (40), Illinois State (39), UIC (34), Valparaiso (22) and Bradley (20) rounded out the poll.

A Second Team All-MVC selection a year ago, Combs led the team in ERA with a 2.97 mark in 63.2 innings across 16 appearances, including 15 starts. In MVC play Combs held opponents to a 2.01 ERA in 31.1 innings.

With a bevy of new faces on the roster, Southern Illinois will look to several key returners for leadership this season. The Salukis return starters Matt Schark (1B), Steven Loden (2B), Cole Christman (C) as well as outfielders Nathan Bandy and Bennett Eltoft to the lineup.

Like in previous seasons, the Salukis will have over 20 new pieces as the season begins with the roster consisting of just 18 seniors and 17 juniors.

2024 MVC PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM
1B Chase Hug, Evansville
2B Josue Urdaneta, Indiana State
3B Taeg Gollert, Missouri State
3B Mike Sears, Indiana State
SS Randal Diaz, Indiana State
SS Drew Vogel, Murray State
C Grant Magill, Indiana State
OF Ryan Maka, Valparaiso
OF Dusty Mercer, Murray State
OF Zack Stewart, Missouri State
SP Jake Combs, Southern Illinois
SP Brandt Thompson, Missouri State
RP Garrett Ferguson, Missouri State
RP Jared Spencer, Indiana State

UP NEXT
The Salukis open the 2024 season on the road with a three-game series against Northwestern State on February 16.